PM - 31

Although she felt somewhat repulsed by his behavior, the good upbringing she had received since childhood compelled her to maintain a polite demeanor. She clasped her hands and slightly bowed to him, “I respectfully thank you for your courtesy.”

After the formalities were over, the two stood facing each other awkwardly, unsure of how to proceed with their conversation.

It hadn’t been like this the night before last. Although she had been the one making all the advances, she saw how he kept retreating step by step until he had nowhere left to retreat. She had thought that from the moment she nestled in his arms, he would give up resistance. After all, in his twenty-eight years of life, no one had dared to pester him so blatantly. However, she forgot the tragic precedent set by Princess Chaesangwon or perhaps she was too confident, leading to this embarrassing situation now.

Yuan Huan had been deeply in love with him; she fell for him at first sight. A young girl, full of passion, tried to show him affection. At that time, military life was dull, and the girl’s letters were a good distraction. Perhaps out of boredom, he jokingly promised to marry her when she grew up. But years later, when he held great power in the court, he completely forgot about her during a critical juncture of political change. A noblewoman who had been pampered since childhood ended up displaced, with no other fate but to die far from home. Perhaps he regretted it later, but what meaning did that have for Yuan Huan?

He was unaware. Today’s him was still repeating past cruelties. Unfortunately, she was not Yuan Huan and wouldn’t be as fragile as her. Giving one’s whole life, even one’s life, to a cold-hearted person was the greatest failure. He didn’t like her, and she understood that clearly, so talking about love made her feel ashamed of herself.

She slowly took a breath. Since she came to negotiate, she had to be prepared for scheming. She looked around and, turning back, smiled gently, “Am I disturbing Father Chancellor’s work by coming here now?”

The wise ruler never approaches directly, something he himself had taught her. He knew why she had come, which was undoubtedly for Shangguan Zhao. It was strange that a mere attendant was worth her humbling herself to seek medicine for. People said this young emperor was heartless, yet occasionally she showed some humanity, though all her warmth was given to others, leaving only calculation when facing him.

With his hands tucked in his sleeves, he gave a perfunctory reply, “Your Majesty reviewing performance reports cannot be considered a disturbance. I am just collating recent important matters reported by various counties, and once organized, I will send them to the Ministry of Personnel.”

Fu Wei nodded, “Father Chancellor has worked hard these years for Dayin. Now that your burden is lighter, take a few days to rest well.”

He stood sideways, his pride cultivated over many years always so glaring. Though he verbally expressed thanks, his expression remained aloof. She helplessly pondered that she was indeed captivated by him, almost bewitched. Initially confident, she was now utterly crushed by him.

She shifted her gaze, “Yesterday, Grand Tutor asked me a question during our lesson. I’ve thought about it for a long time but still don’t understand. Today, I’ve come to ask Father Chancellor for advice.”

The Chancellor clasped his hands, “I am willing to hear the details.”

She slowly paced around the room, speaking while walking, “There was an emperor with remarkable achievements. After thirty years on the throne, his ministers submitted a request for the emperor to ascend Mount Tai to hold a Fengshan ceremony. The emperor readily agreed but feared disturbances from neighboring small states. How should the emperor deploy to ensure national stability during the Fengshan period?”

The Chancellor lowered his eyes and asked, “What does Your Majesty think?”

Fu Wei replied, “If a monarch leaves the central administration, it naturally stirs small states to act rashly. Without precautions, trouble might arise. My suggestion is to mobilize troops to defend the borders, thus ensuring border stability and preventing potential dangers.”

After hearing this, the Chancellor sneered coldly, “Just to glorify himself and report his achievements to heaven and earth, must there be such a large-scale mobilization, causing hardship to the people and exhausting resources? Military affairs are crucial matters of state, concerning life and death, survival and destruction, how can they be arbitrarily mobilized? In my opinion, we simply need to apply both kindness and authority. Invite one major state to send officials to accompany the emperor in the Fengshan ceremony. Vassal states, enjoying the grace of the Celestial Empire, naturally become one entity. For the remaining states, it serves as a warning. Seeing the alliance between the two states, they wouldn’t dare to cause trouble easily. What does Your Majesty think?”

His strategies were probably something she could never match in her lifetime, which was her greatest regret. She had always lamented why such a person couldn’t contentedly assist her. In the end, it was likely because he feared she would betray him after achieving her goals, ending up dead without a complete body. In reality, it was all the same; no one could trust anyone. If she herself couldn’t do it, how could she expect others to treat her wholeheartedly?

She let her hands down and said, “Father Chancellor has a good strategy, choosing one country to favor heavily. Regardless of sincerity, appearances must still be maintained... The Liu Shang recommended by Father Chancellor in today’s court meeting, I thoroughly investigated after returning. Over ten years without any exceptional achievements, quite good. The position of Secretary General has limited authority, but it is crucial to court politics. If supervised by Father Chancellor, the officials will surely perform their duties more diligently...”

She spoke with difficulty, licking her lips, with a faint sorrow between her brows. The Chancellor looked at her with deep eyes, but only for a brief moment, then the gloom dispersed. Raising her head, she loudly said, “I know Father Chancellor is determined. Things have reached this point; I want to have a proper talk with Father Chancellor.”

Since the emperor intended to converse, those standing by naturally had to withdraw. Soon, the officials in the hall retreated, leaving only piles of bamboo slips beside the two of them in the vast main hall.

“No secrets before an honest man. Please hand over the antidote to me, Father Chancellor.” She sighed softly and said, “If I came empty-handed to beg for it, I know I wouldn’t get it. Therefore, I am willing to exchange the position of Secretary General for it. Please, Father Chancellor, make an exception and allow me to save Attendant Shangguan’s life.”

The Chancellor seemed to be touched somewhere, sarcastically snorting, “When Attendant Shangguan encountered danger, Your Majesty immediately thought of me. I am truly honored. Your Majesty only asks for the antidote but doesn’t inquire why I injured him?”

She frowned and turned away, “I know it was his mistake to sneak into the Empress’s residence at night, but Father Chancellor shouldn’t have used such cruel means.”

“Minor punishment for major deterrence. Does Your Majesty feel pity? Has Your Majesty ever considered that if Lingjun’s identity were exposed by him, all our handles would fall into his hands? As long as he wished, he could destabilize the court at any moment. Whom could Your Majesty protect then? Preventing problems before they arise is my usual habit. Rather than suffering chaos in the future, it’s better to eliminate the threat now. Does Your Majesty disregard this matter because you have already told him about your origins, so he dares to be so brazen?”

His voice was chilling, like the northern wind in winter, sharply piercing when it passed by the ear. Fu Wei was furious: “Of course not! Do I appear so unreliable in Father Chancellor’s eyes? Since we’re being frank, there’s no need to beat around the bush anymore. You have the antidote, and I have the Secretariat. I’ll hand over what you want, please give me what I seek. We’ll exchange one for the other, what else is there to wait for?”

The Chancellor slowly nodded, his face dark, “In Your Majesty’s eyes, am I not a despicable person who resorts to any means? Who told you that a mere Secretariat was worth using such methods? As long as I don’t relent, do you think the governance of the court can be handed over to you? Now you bring up appointing a Secretary General to negotiate with me, all for that brainless Shangguan Zhao? Where has your prudence gone? Where has your self-restraint gone?”

If there were someone nearby, they might really be frightened by the emperor and chancellor’s overwhelming anger. Usually, people weigh their words carefully, but today they forgot hierarchy and propriety, yelling accusations at each other. When pushed to the extreme, one disregards everything.

New grievances and old hatred surged together. If she had a sword now, Fu Wei had no doubt she would draw it and fight him desperately. To him, Shangguan Zhao was like a blade of grass, but to her, it was the opposite. As long as she could save him, not just the Secretariat, even exchanging the entire Bureau of Imperial Entertainments wouldn’t make her hesitate.

When people speak without thinking, what they say is often their true feelings. Yes, as long as he refused to relinquish power, he could continue controlling the court for ten, twenty years, or even longer. She, the puppet emperor, had no choice but to endure. Matters she had known all along became doubly painful and piercing when confirmed by him. She hadn’t misjudged him; a powerful minister for too long forgets there’s an emperor in the world. Such a person harboring wolf-like ambitions, how could he be allowed to stay!

Her heart drummed like thunder, feeling every bone and muscle in her body trembling. Still standing firmly, her dignity forbade her from collapsing.

How she wanted to settle accounts with him properly, asking why he insulted her so. But she retained some rationality; that embraced abdomen was a lifelong stain, not a word she wanted to mention. She merely sneered mockingly, “You claim to be upright and honorable? Truly upright and honorable, how could you poison the sleeve arrow! Poisoning is the lowest tactic, even Han Yan disdains it. Father Chancellor, esteemed and precious as you are, resorting to such underhanded tricks, aren’t you ashamed?”

Bang! The Chancellor kicked over a lacquered table beside him, scrolls rolling everywhere. He pointed at her, his fingertip trembling, his wide sleeve shaking, “Don’t you dare speak of me like that! If I wanted his life, it wouldn’t be his arm injured, but his throat. Sleeve arrows are inherently concealed weapons; requiring concealment to be honorable, why not fight openly with blades? Without a direct confrontation, he could survive; with one, he would certainly die. Don’t you understand this? Shame on you for sitting on the imperial court for ten years.”

Where was the code of conduct in mutual denigration? Each stood on one side, the hall filled with heavy breathing. Continuing this reckless verbal battle, no one knew what would happen next.

Fu Wei felt aggrieved. No matter how others belittled or bullied her, at least no one dared to be so harsh towards her. Now, the Chancellor appeared almost mad, and she found herself secretly afraid, tears circling in her eyes, biting her lip fiercely to keep them from falling.

Ugly deeds done but unspeakable, this was the peak of power. She raised her head, suppressing her tears, taking great resolve to calm down. “I didn’t come here to quarrel with Father Chancellor. I only ask one thing: do you have the antidote?”

He went all in, coldly answering: “No.”

What to do if there wasn’t any? Was she supposed to watch Zhao die? She couldn’t restrain herself from shouting at him: “Why do you hate him so much, why go to such extremes?”

Why, he couldn’t explain. He simply disliked him more and more since he became an attendant. But what was there to say to her? He disdainfully pressed his lips, sneering, “Guess.”

“Guess your ghost!”

Before her words faded, she grabbed him without any technique or fighting stance, ruthlessly rolling up his sleeves to search, her attitude恶劣, actions粗鄙, nearly tearing his 玄端. Searching while gritting her teeth and muttering, “Where… where… hand it over!”

The Chancellor was a bit flustered, pushing her twice but failing to push her away. She was ultimately not a delicate maiden from the闺阁; without force, he couldn’t shake her off. Thus began their messy struggle, sunlight streaming through the straight lattice window, casting intertwined shadows where they pushed and shoved each other in tangled steps. The Chancellor discovered for the first time that she was so strong; he exerted great effort to make her retreat, but she refused to yield. Both angry and anxious, he harshly scolded, “Please, Your Majesty, respect yourself!”

If she intended to respect herself, she wouldn’t have engaged in mutual insults with him. Fu Wei had long lost interest in pretending elegance before him. Even if it meant a fight, she had to find the antidote.

But what if the antidote wasn’t on him? She searched all his sleeve pockets without finding a trace. Growing desperate, her strength increased. Suddenly, she heard a sharp sound of fabric tearing. Her hand paused, looking down to discover the Chancellor’s robe torn from the armpit to the waist, the silk fragments still in her hand, revealing the inner garment through the gap, starkly contrasting with the outer black robe.

Both were stunned. She dazedly released her grip, only now feeling a bit frightened, instinctively stepping back three steps.

The Chancellor was extremely particular about his appearance. Now in this state, he felt like devouring her heart. Grasping the torn area with one hand, he glared at her angrily. Fu Wei sensed that things were going badly; at this rate, no negotiation would be achieved.

Helplessly wiping her hands on her robe folds, her expression very embarrassed, she muttered, “I didn’t mean to…”

The Chancellor’s temple veins were throbbing, his handsome face becoming somewhat ferocious, seemingly tired of this ridiculous game. From his bosom, he pulled out a small bottle, smashing it viciously on the ground in front of her.

Fortunately, the ground had thick mats; the porcelain bottle bounced a few times without breaking! Fu Wei knew it must be the antidote. She picked up the bottle and ran, regardless of whatever might collapse behind her; she didn’t want to look back.

She ran out of the 耗门, with Hu Lu following hurriedly behind, “Master, slow down, be careful underfoot…”

She feared the Chancellor chasing after her, so she didn’t dare delay. Moreover, she was in a rush to return and save Zhao, fearing that if the poison spread throughout his body, even having the antidote would be too late.

The Chancellor’s office originally belonged to the Eastern Palace, so passing through the narrow corridor, it wouldn’t take long to return to the Yuecheng Hall. Shangguan Zhao was still lying in the side hall, with Bu Hai kneeling beside him watching anxiously. Hearing footsteps, he quickly got up, calling out “Master” and rushing forward, “Attendant just trembled violently, like he was having malaria…”

Jian Ye had already brought water over. Fu Wei personally rolled up her sleeves to feed him, watching him swallow the medicine before finally feeling relieved.

“Are you feeling better?” She squatted before the bed and asked, “Does your body still hurt?”

Shangguan Zhao looked at her with a pale face, “What price did Your Majesty pay to save my life?”

She shook her head and smiled, “No price is important, as long as you get better.”

“Is it the position of Secretary General?” His expression dimmed, feeling remorseful and self-blaming, “This subject is useless, unable to assist Your Majesty, instead, you ruined your own future to save me.”

What was the use of saying these things? Officials of the Secretariat could be reappointed later, but if a life was lost, it would be regretted for a lifetime. She patted his uninjured shoulder, stood up, and said, “I never expected to reclaim petition rights from him. His posturing in the court shows he ultimately couldn’t bear to give up power. I’m glad that at least this item could be exchanged with him. If I had nothing in hand, I would have had to watch you succumb to the poison.”

She didn’t stay long in the side hall. Soon, the Vice Minister and the Grand Tutor arrived to see her. Sun Mo complained bitterly, “This Liu Shang is arrogant, relying on the influence of the Yan Chancellor to enter the Mingguang Hall and boss people around. We ignored him, and he claimed to be appointed by Your Majesty.”

The Grand Tutor carefully observed the young emperor’s expression, seemingly discerning some clues. “Was this order genuinely Your Majesty’s intention?”

Fu Wei sat inside the canopy, exhausted after the turmoil, leaning on the desk for a long while without speaking. The Grand Tutor and the Vice Minister exchanged glances, each privately knowing the answer. Indeed, someone as cunning as the Yan Chancellor would not easily relinquish power, surely keeping a fallback plan for the young emperor to stumble into. The young emperor, not yet sixteen, how could she compete against an experienced sycophant? To blame him now would be too heartless.

Sun Mo consoled, “Your Majesty, please rest assured. Even if the position of Secretary General is in the Chancellor’s hands, there are still subjects like me, the Household Minister, and the Three Excellencies Ministers. Military and state affairs pile up like mountains; it’s impossible for him alone to handle everything. As long as petitions reach the Secretariat, we can unite to sideline him, which isn’t difficult.”

Since the person was personally chosen by the Chancellor, sidelining him wouldn’t be easy. Fu Wei sighed deeply, her mind clear as a mirror. This path blocked, she decided to carve another route. “We once discussed the military system of the Northern and Southern armies. I intended to establish eight colonels to disperse the Chancellor’s military power. This matter has been shelved for so long that it should be put on the agenda. I already have candidates in mind, but manpower is insufficient in the long run. The lesser-used clans of the Yuan family should be promoted as much as possible. Also, the outer family… the Empress’s Nie family has few members left, while the Liang family consists mostly of civil officials, unfit for military leadership. I am considering that some members of the Lou family served as separate department commanders under the previous emperor, but after the Chancellor seized power, he suppressed the relatives, and these people haven’t been utilized. Though they can’t enter the court, they have been in the army for a long time. If given appointments, they are all usable talents.”

As she voiced her thoughts, she also observed the Grand Tutor’s reaction, noticing him tilting his head, showing a troubled expression.

“Your Majesty’s intentions, I understand, but I must remind Your Majesty that there are too many historical examples of relatives seizing power. Is Your Majesty truly willing to risk such a peril to address the urgent need?”

Relatives wielding double-edged swords, she was well aware. “During this time of needing personnel, I intend to cultivate my forces. Without reliable allies, it won’t work. Relatives gaining power can wield authority, but if the reins are in hand, they become a dependable force. Speaking of wielding authority, the Chancellor is not a relative; he is my royal uncle. So what?” She gazed blankly at the ceiling, murmuring sadly, “Retreating leads to a bottomless abyss. I cannot retreat, only advance. That’s fate.”